One is Shen Wansan, a merchant from the rich world, and the other is Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperor who founded the Ming Dynasty, and there are different stories between them. At a banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked Shen Wansan what a dish on the table was called, not that Zhu Yuanzhang did not know this dish, but that the ingredient of this dish was pig's trotter. Zhu Yuanzhang was the emperor of the dynasty, and the pig's trotter undoubtedly offended the emperor's name.
If Shen Wansan answered this dish truthfully, then the result must be beheading. Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that people did not dare to call the emperor's name directly, and he also knew that his own problem was a big problem. The reason why he did this was to find a suitable excuse for disposing of Shen Wansan, and his idea of putting Shen Wansan to death was clearly revealed, and everyone on the side of the ministers at this time was in danger.
Shen Wansan's ability to get entangled in Wanguan was his cleverness and agility, and he instantly understood Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts. If the Emperor tried to kill him, any attempt would be futile, but what he could guarantee was that there was no chance. This question obviously had to be answered, so Shen Wansan cleverly answered one or two, and Zhu Yuanzhang could only temporarily abandon the plan, but Shen Wansan's end would not be peaceful.
First, be suspicious of the storm
When he was young, Shen Wansan was full of enthusiasm and just happened to find an area suitable for cultivation. So he saw the opportunity to start large-scale farming, coupled with a complete trading channel, Shen Wansan harvested a lot after a busy year. Shen Wansan's cleverness has been revealed, but such a business is certainly not enough to support him to become the richest man.
Shen Wansan was also not satisfied with this, and had to admit that he had courage and decisiveness beyond ordinary people. After thinking about it for a long time, Shen Wansan decided to continue his travels, this time becoming an assistant to a wealthy businessman, helping to take care of his huge family business. The rich merchant was the most important person in Shen Wansan's life, and he gave Shen Wansan a lot of wealth, so that Shen Wansan had a huge fortune in one fell swoop.
In the face of such a situation, others may enjoy life after all. Shen Wansan chose to continue to do business, perhaps the wealth given by the rich merchants is his confidence, even if he loses, he will not be destroyed. Shen Wansan set his sights on commodity trade, maintaining old industries while developing new industries. Countless facts throughout history have proved that the profits of commodity trade are enormous.
Shen Wansan was fortunate to have achieved great success in several businesses. For this reason, the folk even have the legend of the cornucopia, which shows that Shen Wansan's life is so smooth that people can't believe it. Perhaps it was the smooth flow that made Shen Wansan forget to restrain and he began to support Zhang Shicheng's regime. This act was tantamount to participating in the power struggle, but this time his vision was not accurate.
Zhang Shicheng was eventually defeated by Zhu Yuanzhang's iron horse, and Shen Wansan's suffering began. Zhu Yuanzhang was cruel and suspicious, and since he took the throne, he had successively killed the founding heroes, the purpose of which was to fear that the ministers would be highly respected. How could Zhu Yuanzhang, who was able to decisively kill his comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side, spare Shen Wansan, who had supported the enemy?
If Shen Wansan had not supported Zhang Shicheng, all this might have had a chance to change. In Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, Shen Wansan not only had a strong pursuit of the people, but also was rich enough to rival the country. Such a person endangers his reputation and merits like a hero, and with Shen Wansan supporting Zhang Shicheng, who can guarantee that Shen Wansan will not have any dissent in the future?
Shen Wansan was thus included in the danger list by Zhu Yuanzhang, but these were not the real fuse. At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was only suspicious and did not immediately want to dispose of Shen Wansan. However, Shen Wansan did not realize this, and the Shen family still had no sense of danger and did not know how to restrain their behavior.
2. Distribute and replenish the army
In fact, looking at Shen Wansan's wealth, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but feel jealous, and he believed that the wealth of the world should belong to himself. Therefore, Shen Wansan's wealth made it difficult for him to escape the disaster, even if he did not support things like Zhang Shicheng, it was difficult for him to be alone. Zhu Yuanzhang needed to create the image of the emperor and make the people all sincerely attach themselves to him, so he could not forcibly occupy Shen Wansan's wealth.
Zhu Yuanzhang invited Shen Wansan to the banquet, and for Shen Wansan, every banquet needed to be careful. At one banquet, Shen Wansan was asked what the dish on the table was called, and he cleverly answered the pig's trotters as wansan hooves. Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice after listening to it, this was indeed a perfect answer. Shen Wansan thus escaped a disaster, and the real disaster came from himself.
Later, Shen Wansan planned to take out money to reward the army, and it was this move that completely angered Zhu Yuanzhang. Treating the army was generally done by the emperor, so how could Shen Wansan be qualified as a civilian? Shen Wansan undoubtedly personally ruined his wealth, and Zhu Yuanzhang sent him to the Yunnan region to charge the army.
Zhu Yuanzhang originally wanted to kill Shen Wansan, but he did not think of the people's worship of him. Zhu Yuanzhang was deeply troubled by poverty and herded cattle for others at a young age in order to make a living. After his parents left, his siblings could not survive, and he could only endure the pain of separation and enter the temple to become a monk, perhaps he had a hatred for rich merchants.
Third, do not think of enterprising
Shen Wansan no longer had a life of fine clothes and jade food, and could only endure the tragic life of wind and food and sleeping. The wealth created through their own efforts cannot be enjoyed, which is the drawback of the feudal rule period. People's wealth is not guaranteed, and everything must be the emperor's will. Such a system will eventually be abandoned, and people have the power to control their wealth.
After Shen Wansan was sent to the army, the rest of the Shen family did not have any sense of crisis. They enjoyed what little wealth they had left, without thinking about why it all happened. They are still extravagant and wasteful, and eventually they are framed and destroyed. Wealth does not mean eternity, and has always been unenterprising and greedy for pleasure, and will eventually be responsible for their own actions.
4. Summary
Shen Wansan's death is not recorded in detail, but the collapse of the Shen family has become settled. Maybe he encountered a small business opportunity again, or maybe he was discouraged and stopped doing business. In any case, Shen Wansan's story has been passed down to this day, and his business style has always become a mystery. His story warns people not to be arrogant after gaining wealth, and caution is the best policy.
If Shen Wansan lived in today's society, then he could definitely become a wealth tycoon. His wealth is not afraid of being robbed by others, and the law will safeguard his legitimate rights and interests. Through the struggle of countless people, the feudal rule was completely eliminated, and after a long and arduous period, everyone in the society is equal, and there is no need to worry about the existence of Shen Wansan.